The Secret for artists is first knowing what you want to have happen in your art career.

The film THE SECRET (if you haven't watched it, DO!) spells it out in simple terms. The Law of Attraction is always at work and you create what you think about.

You must have a clear dream so why not make it big as well as real for you? As Somerset Maugham quipped, "it's a funny thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it." Dream from your heart while keeping your feet firmly on the ground. This will give you your heart's desire and a vision that you can articulate. Before you delve into the specifics necessary to present yourself to a gallery with the intention of having them represent you, it is necessary to do some in-depth self examination. This authentic, reflective and investigative journey is worthwhile for all artists…and it makes the journey simpler. Art-making and art marketing is a heartfelt journey; to keep that connection is essential. I believe it is in the heart-space that one knows what the dream is.

Do you really want to exhibit in New York City in a world-class museum? Or do you want to be a weekend painter, giving your art as gifts to your family and friends and occasionally exhibiting in a local community gallery? Do you prefer the art festival and outdoor market type of venue? Do you want to sell your art as a sideline business which you run as a sole proprietorship? Does the idea of exhibiting in a group show appeal to you more than showing solo? Do you prefer to show people your work in your home or studio and not exhibit in galleries? Are you an Internet buff who would rather spend more time promoting yourself on-line? These are just a few of the questions you want to ask yourself…now you know where to start.

Spend at least a month on this, journaling your thoughts and inspirations on what success is going to look like to you. Draw pictures, use lots of colour, cut out images and sayings in magazines. Make a Personal Success collage of your art business. Set aside a special sketchbook to make notes, jot down ideas, successes, tips, doodles, goals, dreams and entitle it: My Successful Art Career. Visit galleries and look at as many other artists' work as possible. (advise from painter Gordon Smith). This will give you an idea of where you fit in the art world. Also think about where you fit in art history. What is your style, influences, mentors? Then share your findings with a fellow artist, trusted family member or friend.

The next step is to Begin with the End in Mind by imagining yourself at the end of your life. This is a very useful visualization, one of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People from the book by Stephen Covey. What did you do with your art that you are so thrilled with? What did you accomplish that was just right for you? Now you can work backwards to present time and make plans, goals and commit to making your dream happen. Next, write it all down. As long as the idea is just in your head it is a slogan. I believe to make it a goal and make it manifest, you have to write it down.

Now you can begin the path to successfully exhibiting and marketing your art. Stay tuned for more in April on the specifics of organizing your art business for success.

Effective immediately, all new standard artist websites will include their own personalized web address. Web addresses such as "www.JohnSmith.com are also known as "domain names" or "URLs". All new standard site clients will have a custom web address. There is no change to the premium artist websites, which already include a personalized web address.

Many artists have discovered the marketing value of having their own personal web address. The artist's promotion looks professional, and the artist has more control over their internet promotion with a direct, personalized link to their webpage.

Cost of the new standard site is now $44.95 which includes the standard 20 images and all standard features, plus the personal web address. Additional image spaces or other features can still be added on, just as before.

Renewals will be all inclusive, one renewal for both the site and the web address, all just one time per year.

Existing sites and costs stay as is
Existing artist standard sites continue to have a free web address, in this format: www.MyArtClub.Com/John.Smith
Existing customers can continue to renew for $29.95, or consider permanently upgrading to the new standard site. Credit will be given proportionately for amounts already paid at time of upgrade.

Artists with separate web addresses can save $$
Artist with existing standard sites and a separately ordered web address should consider this new arrangement as an added convenience to consolidate their renewals, and save money! Here are the details if you opt to convert:

One web address for $25 annually or $40 for 2 years - Up to $10 credit is applied proportionate to the time remaining since ordering the web address on your next renewal.

Additional web addresses beyond the first one included with your site are still available for $25 for one year or $40 for 2 years.

Artists can choose who should administer their web address

Artists who join the site and already have their own address but would like the convenience of MyArtClub.Com managing their web address can arrange to do so at no initial cost.

Artists who join the site and continue to administer their own web address can link their personally managed address to their MyArtClub.Com site page for a $15 one time fee.

Artists wishing to take over administration of any MyArtClub.Com administered web address may do so any time for a $15 one time fee.

Highlights from the MyArtClub.Com Market Survey

As you may recall, last fall MyArtClub.Com conducted a market survey to assess the "5 Ws" about the art market, meaning the questions "Who", "What", "Where", "When" and "Why". We felt compelled to learn more about fine art clients for the large part because the answers for many important questions to help artists and art venues build solid business plans are not readily available.

Our report, soon to be released, presents a concise set of findings to assist all participants in the art market. It brings together demographics and personal interests to focus on understanding client preferences to help you target your art markets most effectively.

Key findings include reasons for optimism!

A whopping 98.9% of participants purchase fine art an estimated 1.4 times per year. A huge 78.2% of these clients buy on impulse simply because they love the work.

The highest customer preference at 71.2% is to buy directly from an artist to better know the artist and support the artist financially.

The full report is to be out in Fall 2008. As a member of MyArtClub.Com you will have full access to the findings. An interesting summary presentation is also being prepared, with specific actions you and your art groups could take. We would welcome an invitation to present our findings to you and your group in future.

Well that is it for the September 2008 update. If you have ideas or questions please let us know at Webmaster@MyArtClub.Com. Thanks for reading – hope you enjoyed it, look forward to seeing your latest art and comments on the Internet!

Peter Newell and Cam Anderson,
MyArtClub.Com

Do you have any questions, comments or suggestions?
Please write to us at: Webmaster@MyArtClub.Com
P.S. Previous issues of this newsletter are available on the MyArtClub.Com under the Member's Help Section.

P.P.S. please pass along this newsletter to others artists and art supporters. Any artist who doesn't have a site with MyArtClub.Com is welcome to post up to 3 of their images in the MyArtClub.Com Showcase Gallery at no charge, and will receive newsletters too!